Trading Places

John Landis (1983)

111min

15 Certificate

Review

Our Score

by David Parkinson

This blatant, unacknowledged reworking of The Prince and the Pauper is a rattling comedy showcase for the unique talents of Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd, who have seldom recaptured the form they show here. However, there's no question that the acting honours go to veterans Don Ameche and Ralph Bellamy, as the mischievous business bigwigs whose wager brings about the respective rise and fall of a lowlife conman (Murphy) and a pompous broker (Aykroyd). Jamie Lee Curtis also makes quite an impression as a kind-hearted hooker and proved that there was more to her than screaming and running away from slash-happy psychopaths. Director John Landis tends to pull his satirical punches against yuppiedom, and it's a shame that he settles for a brash slapstick finale after so many fresh, immaculately timed comic situations, but this remains very entertaining.

Summary

Two billionaire brothers engineer the downfall of a high-flying stockbroker, while giving a homeless conman all the advantages of wealth, as part of a bet to see whether heredity or upbringing determines character. Comedy, starring Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche and Denholm Elliott.

Cast & Crew

Billy Ray Valentine Eddie Murphy

Louis Winthorpe III Dan Aykroyd

Ophelia Jamie Lee Curtis

Randolph Duke Ralph Bellamy

Mortimer Duke Don Ameche

Coleman Denholm Elliott

Beeks Paul Gleason

Pawnbroker Bo Diddley

King Kong James Belushi

Penelope Kristin Holby

Whittington Alfred Drake

Policeman Frank Oz

Heritage club doorman P Jay Sidney

Ezra Avon Long

Officer Pantuzzi Tom Mardirosian

Officer Reynolds Charles Brown

Todd Robert Curtis-Brown

Harry Nicholas Guest

Andrew John Bedford-Lloyd

Director John Landis

Other Information

Language: EnglishColourGuidance: Swearing and nudity. Available on: video and DVD

Comedy

Full Episode Guide

John Landis (1983)

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

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